Diva's Oscar Predictions


Well, it's that time again.....the old guy is polished up, duplicated, engraved and quietly waiting on some conference table at Delotte and Touche for his grand 2006 appearance. The red carpets are laid and cocktails started yesterday around noon. This will continue into the wee hours of Monday morning - the culmination of Oscar Weekend.

I love awards show merely for the chance to mock, critique and swoon over the latest fashion creations. Who wore whom, what hair style, if any, what kind of shoes, who had the best bling, who came out of the closet, how many pictures did the paparazzi illegally garner etc. etc. It's always fascinated me that people who have been given money, fame and privilege are always the ones who seem to be the worst dressed. Point in hand, THE dress that J Lo wore about three or four years ago that people are STILL talking about. If that was a dress then a band-aid and two cotton balls will suffice for a swimsuit. I know exactly why people are still talking - they can't believe she wore a see-through scarf and called it a dress. What ever happened to Chanel or Valentino? Just goes to show you, just because you have money, doesn't mean you have class.

Anyway, back to prediction central...........

While chatting with a friend over lunch, I easily predicted the family pet's behavorial problems. Apparently, Pumpkin has not been very tidy while using the facilities for the last six months. After further discussion, since I AM a cat person, I smartly predicted that Pumpkin has been "acting out" due to the entry of a toddler in her midst. She is no longer receiving the attention she once did and frankly, this is unacceptable to cats and Diva's everywhere. Therefore, I decided that since I seem to have a gift for predictions, I would throw my list of Oscar predictions in the bowl with Slyvia Browne, Joan and Melissa, Cojo, and every other uptight critic that thinks their opinions are more valuable than Oprah's Book Club.

Best Actor In A Leading Role:

Nominees are:

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote
Terrance Howard - Hustle & Flow
Heath Ledger - Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Phoenix - Walk The Line
David Strathairn - Good Night and Good Luck

Diva's Prediction: Philip Seymour Hoffman for Capote. Why? He's a fabulous character actor that has paid his dues and is very "in" right now. I say he will finally get his just rewards and rightly so. He oozes coolness....check him out in "Almost Famous" as Lester Banks.

Diva's Choice: Joaquin Phoenix - Walk The Line - not only did he sound like Johnny - he made you love Johnny.


Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

Nominees:
George Clooney - Syriana
Matt Dillon - Crash
Paul Giamatti - Cinderella Man
Jake Gyllenhaal - Brokeback Mountain
William Hurt - A History of Violence

Diva's Prediction: George Clooney - Syriana. He's also very "in" and draws the ladies to the box office. I think George is a great actor and yes, very handsome. He's so the "it" Hollywood man right now....the academy will agree.

Diva's Choice: Jake Gyllenhaal - Brokeback Mountain - any straight guy that plays a gay guy and takes it like a "man" should be rewarded for his efforts. Nuff said!

Best Actress:

Nominees:
Judi Dench - Mrs. Henderson Presents
Felicity Huffman - Transamerica
Keira Knightley - Pride and Prejudice
Charlize Theron - North Country
Reese Witherspoon - Walk the Line

Diva's Prediction: Charlize Theron for North Country. Charlize has been building to this position over the last five years. She's smart, she's sexy and she can act. She played her role in North Country with no make-up or hair and still managed to look gorgeous. That alone is worth an Oscar in my book. The academy will agree.

Diva's Choice: Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line. You have to root for our hometown girl made good. Reese made June Carter look damned attractive and she certainly convinced me that she is more than her former "Legally Blonde" roles have shown. I predict that if she doesn't get a surprise this year, within the next 2 to 3 years, she will bring Oscar home. Way to go TN girl!

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:

Nominees:
Amy Adams - Junebug
Catherine Keener - Capote
Frances McDormand - North Country
Rachel Weisz - The Constant Gardener
Michelle Williams - Brokeback Mountain

Diva's Prediction: Amy Adams for Junebug. Why? Never heard of her OR the movie....they usually give it to an unknown and I figured why not Amy? (This is a very scientific prediction, you know.)

Diva's Choice: Frances McDormand for North Country. A great character actress that I have loved since "Almost Famous" (one of the best movies ever, reference Best Actor section). She never fails to capture your attention and even though she does not have the "hollywood look" she has the talent.

Best Director:

Nominees:
Ang Lee - Brokeback Mountain
Bennett Miller - Capote
Paul Haggis - Crash
George Clooney - Good Night and Good Luck
Steven Spielberg - Munich

Diva's Prediction: Steven Spielberg for Munich. Why? Because he's Spielberg. When has he NOT won? He continues to be the biggest of the heavy weights and besides, he owns half the studios in LA along with David Geffen. The academy will not bend.

Diva's Choice: Ang Lee for Brokeback Mountain. Through all the jokes, pokes and puns, Ang Lee has remained gracious. The movie if you haven't seen it, is breathtakingly heart wrenching. He's my man for this category.

Best Original Score:

Nominees:
Gustavo Santaolalla - Brokeback Mountain
Alberto Iglesias - The Constant Gardner
John Williams - Memoirs of a Geisha
John Williams - Munich
Dario Marianelli - Pride and Prejudice

Diva's Prediction: John Williams for Munich. The man is a musical genius and will win although you gotta love the Italians in this category. Since Spielberg will win direction, John will win the score. It's a Spielberg thang.

Diva's Choice: John Williams for Memoirs of a Geisha. The second movie this year I left sobbing (the first being Brokeback). The music is absolutely breathtaking and fully captured the story.

Best Original Song in a Motion Picture:

Nominees:
In the Deep - Crash
It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp - Hustle & Flow (forgive them Father for they have sinned)
Travelin Thru - Transamerica

Diva's Prediction: Travelin' Thru from Transamerica - music and lyric by Dolly Parton. Dolly is due a comeback movie song. I bet this is it.

Diva's Prediction: Travelin' Thru from Transamerica - the only category that my prediction and choice are the same.

There ya go....Diva's predictions and choices. I will update things on Monday and score myself for predictability. But wait! you say! What about all the other categories? Costume design, cinematography, screenplay, sound, etc. etc. Now be honest - do you REALLY give a rat's ass about all those other categories? I don't....so hey....best 'o luck to 'em.

......and the Oscar goes to................